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Lifespan of Power amps

What is a reasonable amount of time a power amp should perform without trouble, or need replaced? If kept in good, clean condition I'm guessing 20-25 years, is this correct? I have an 18 year old power amp and am just trying to figure how long it will be until I will need a new one. Does anyone think the technology is the same today as it would have been 18 years ago for amplifiers?
fruff1976
stewie
187 posts
 
I have a Kenwood Supreme 700m, built in the early 70s, recapped, re-transistored, etc about two years ago.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,788 posts
 
Electrolytic Capacitors are a fact of life in amplifiers, tube or solid state. They last about 20-25 years, which is a sort of half-life, IOW about half of them will be bad in about 20-25 years. Unlike radioactive isotopes, though, the rest will be following soon after. By 30 years they all should be replaced without question.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
It's the capacitors. Caps last around 20 years. If you replace them BEFORE they die/break/explode, you'll have another 20 years.

Agree 100%.

Electrolytic Capacitors are a fact of life in amplifiers, tube or solid state. They last about 20-25 years, which is a sort of half-life, IOW about half of them will be bad in about 20-25 years.

I would add that if you buy an amp that has not been in use for several years then it can increase the risk that a cap will blow up when you first turn it on. If you store expensive gear then I'd suggest plugging it in once every six months to a year.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
So other than tubes, capacitors should be the only parts that "wear" out and need replacing (assuming you take good csare of your equipment)?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,788 posts
 
No- connectors, switches and controls are subject to corrosion and transistors can develop leakage and other issues due to the same. There seems to be no free lunch.
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